Day 384
As you might be able to discern from the blood counts below, my system seems to have adapted to the decrease in the anti-rejection drug (Cellcept) without a problem. This doesn’t surprise me because although I had a cough most of the month, I really didn’t seem to have any of the GvHD symptoms (like intestinal cramping) and continue slowly but surely to feel better.
..... last month today . normal
..... ---------- ----- ---------
WBC.. 6.9 ...... 6.0 ... 4 – 11
Hgb.. 10.8 ..... 11.0 . 14 – 18
Plt.. 217 ...... 234 . 150 – 400
AST.. 31 ....... 34 ... 10 – 42
ALT.. 23 ....... 17 ... 10 – 40
After having the Cellcept reduced from 4 pills a day to 3 last month, another pill per day was subtracted from my daily regimen so that I am now down to 2 pills a day. This keeps me on track to possibly be off all my meds in another 2 or 3 months. Woo Hoo!
I’m working pretty much 40 hours a week now and will soon be officially full time again.
I still run out of breath and energy way too quickly while doing something like playing tennis, but I still am hopeful that I will be able to train my way back to some semblance of fitness. My PA (physician’s assistant) says I may remain slightly anemic for the rest of my life. At least one of the doctors seems to believe that some of the meds may be suppressing the hemoglobin. Either way, I think I can improve my endurance.
The other thing that continues to be a real drag for me is that I still don’t enjoy eating because much of what I eat doesn’t taste good to me. This seems to apply especially to some of the things I used to like the most like meat, nuts, potato chips, etc. It’s hard to describe how hard this is, and I think it’s hard to imagine if you haven’t experienced it. You can take my word for it, it’s not fun. However, I’m hopeful that when I’m off my meds, this will also improve.
I’m starting to circulate more, doing things like going to church, weddings, meetings, etc. In doing so, I realize that there are a lot of acquaintances I haven’t seen in over a year. The reaction of these people (who say something like how good it is to see me), fills me with warmth, gratitude, and humility. I’m a lucky guy.
Continued improvement with a more normal life a distinct possibility in the near future is as much as I could ask for. Well, I could ask for more of course, but I won’t; I’m grateful for what I’ve got.
It will probably be another month before I write. My next clinic appointment is October 6.
Until then, all my love,
Justin
..... last month today . normal
..... ---------- ----- ---------
WBC.. 6.9 ...... 6.0 ... 4 – 11
Hgb.. 10.8 ..... 11.0 . 14 – 18
Plt.. 217 ...... 234 . 150 – 400
AST.. 31 ....... 34 ... 10 – 42
ALT.. 23 ....... 17 ... 10 – 40
After having the Cellcept reduced from 4 pills a day to 3 last month, another pill per day was subtracted from my daily regimen so that I am now down to 2 pills a day. This keeps me on track to possibly be off all my meds in another 2 or 3 months. Woo Hoo!
I’m working pretty much 40 hours a week now and will soon be officially full time again.
I still run out of breath and energy way too quickly while doing something like playing tennis, but I still am hopeful that I will be able to train my way back to some semblance of fitness. My PA (physician’s assistant) says I may remain slightly anemic for the rest of my life. At least one of the doctors seems to believe that some of the meds may be suppressing the hemoglobin. Either way, I think I can improve my endurance.
The other thing that continues to be a real drag for me is that I still don’t enjoy eating because much of what I eat doesn’t taste good to me. This seems to apply especially to some of the things I used to like the most like meat, nuts, potato chips, etc. It’s hard to describe how hard this is, and I think it’s hard to imagine if you haven’t experienced it. You can take my word for it, it’s not fun. However, I’m hopeful that when I’m off my meds, this will also improve.
I’m starting to circulate more, doing things like going to church, weddings, meetings, etc. In doing so, I realize that there are a lot of acquaintances I haven’t seen in over a year. The reaction of these people (who say something like how good it is to see me), fills me with warmth, gratitude, and humility. I’m a lucky guy.
Continued improvement with a more normal life a distinct possibility in the near future is as much as I could ask for. Well, I could ask for more of course, but I won’t; I’m grateful for what I’ve got.
It will probably be another month before I write. My next clinic appointment is October 6.
Until then, all my love,
Justin
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